After a week visiting my sister who was due, and overindulging in family-oriented activities (eating, talking, TV, home improvement), I finally got back home two days ago. -------------------------- On the plane, the "single-serving friend" sitting next to me confessed (after a short introduction before take off), that he was terribly afraid of flying and that, in spite of being forced to fly almost every week for his job, he "could never get used to planes." Now, I'm no stranger to fear of flying myself, though, unlike him, I try to never ever come unglued with my personal feelings in front of a total stranger. --------------------------- The fact was that I was caught in the comical situation of having to comfort someone who's afraid of flying while not being exactly fond of flying myself (don't ask me why I felt such a sudden call to responsibility). During the flight, with every little bump or switch in direction or altitude, my single-serving friend grabbed the armrest in panic, as if the armrest was life itself...and sometimes he would make small-talk to divert his attention from the impending danger. For a moment there, I debated whether to disclose my own fear of flying to him, in an act of disinterested commiseration, but decided against it. Why? Well, I know people deal with uncomfortable situations differently, and that some people prefer distraction --- whereas, I myself, like to cling on to my pains and anxieties to the bitter end, as though those were my own armrests. I like my pains close at hand, not far and away where I have no control over them... --------------------- My question is, would you have disclosed your own fear of flying in this situation? Do you think it would make the situation better or worse? P.S. Going back to work was no mean feat, but my sister had the baby in good health, and everything went ok with my jumpy little friend.
Congrats on the new baby and I hope you are enjoying being a proud uncle! Spoiling is a great thing, especially with a siblings child as you get to give them back. When the seat belt light went out, you should of unbuckled and given him big doe eyes and jumped in his lap and said, I'm scared to. It would of definitely taken his mind off you his fear of flying and you would of no longer needed to fight for your arm rests as he would of been cowering in his own seat. Joking aside, I think you did the right thing and it probably distracted you from your own discomfort with flying.
Congratulations :sifone: You should have a talk with baby cherea and give him the lowdown on humanity. Little one you were born into this world without sin, and while we can provide you with love, support, and shelter, we cannot protect you from what you will become - us. Humanities one flaw is that we are what we are, and no matter how much we strive to better ourselves, we cannot change who we are, only what we do. Over the next several years we’ll expose you to anger and fear, to greed and avarice, to pain and loss, please forgive us for transforming you into what we are - for we know nothing else Yet dispite everything we see hope in your eyes; hope for humanity, and hope for a better future - don't disappoint. Hotwater
You have a better chance of getting killed in a car than todays airplanes. People get scared what the cannot control.
Thank you to the well-wishers... I think I did a good job since at landing my single-serving friend thanked me profusely. -------------------------- Hot, if I had to teach my nephew anything it would probably be a lot more concise, in the same vein as Robert Frost's quote: "What I've learned about life comes down to three words: It-goes-on." Edit: Until it doesn't...
you put too much thought in this situation. Guy was scared. who cares? Be glad he only said that and not his life story. Congrats on the baby though.
I have a tough time with heights in general, so flying is weird for me but oddly enough I'm fine when we're up in the air. I can stand looking down at the ground then; but I just have a hard time with the take off and any turbulence we encounter.
